18 September 2024 – Cancer survival rates are improving within the United States, but a lack of information concerning the risks related to alcohol and unhealthy lifestyles could also be slowing that progress.
The overall cancer death rate has fallen by 33% from 1991 to 2021, corresponding to 4.1 million fewer cancer deaths, in line with the Cancer Progress Report 2024 by the American Association for Cancer Research. The 5-year survival rate has improved in children, adolescents, and young adults, with about 85% now living not less than 5 years after diagnosis.
Although cancer continues to primarily affect older people (57% of diagnoses are in people aged 65 and over), the report's authors highlighted worrying cancer trends in middle-aged adults. Of particular concern is the increasing variety of colon cancers in younger people, which are sometimes diagnosed at life-threatening late stages. Generation Xers (born between 1965 and 1980) are expected to have higher cancer rates than previous generations.
Educational campaigns and regulatory measures are needed to assist people reduce their risk of cancer, the authors wrote. For 40% of all cancers, there are modifiable risk aspects, resembling reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking or controlling body weight, the authors noted.
“Unfortunately, awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer remains low. This highlights the need for public education campaigns, such as cancer-specific warnings on alcoholic beverages, as well as effective clinical strategies to reduce the burden of alcohol-related cancers,” the authors of the report write.
Recent analyses have highlighted flaws in previous conclusions that light or moderate alcohol consumption can have a positive effect on heart health. These studies, the scientists say, didn't adequately consider individuals who had stopped drinking for health reasons. Views More and more studies indicate that alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for cancer.
Alcohol consumption specifically increases the danger of colon, liver, stomach, breast, head, neck and throat cancer. An estimated 1 in 20 cancers within the United States were attributed to alcohol consumption in 2019, the report said, adding that starting drinking early increases the danger of cancer later in life.
The report's authors called for increased efforts to assist people make lifestyle changes to cut back their risk of cancer. Around one in five cancer diagnoses are linked to body weight, poor food regimen, alcohol consumption and lack of exercise. Lifestyle reduction campaigns have been successful up to now, and falling smoking rates have been related to falling cancer rates.
At the identical time, medical breakthroughs are enabling improved diagnosis, treatment and survival. The report praises breakthroughs within the treatment of melanoma, small cell lung cancer and blood cancer.
“Cancer diagnostics are becoming increasingly sophisticated. New technologies such as spatial transcriptomics are helping us study tumors at the cellular level. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches are beginning to transform cancer detection, diagnosis, clinical decision-making, and monitoring of treatment response,” said Patricia M. LoRusso, DO, president of the AACR, in a Press release“These advances will lead to improved patient care.”